Road accident deaths increased by 4.6% in 2015

Published7 May, 2016

Ajith Athrady, NEW DELHI, May 7, 2016, DHNS:

Karnataka, four states record highest number of deaths

As per the provisional data compiled by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) for the year 2015, the country witnessed 1,46,133 road accident fatalities in 2015 against 1,39,647 in 2014. Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Rajasthan are the 5 states which recorded the highest number of deaths in 2015. These states contributed to 46.45% of the total fatalities recorded nationwide for the same year. The total number of injuries due to road accidents rose from 4.93 lakh in 2014 to 5 lakh in 2015. Even Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest increase in road accidents.

Tamil Nadu reported highest road accidents in 2015 with 69,059 followed by Maharashtra (63,805). Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala also featured in the top 5 states that witnessed highest number of road accidents. These 5 states contribute 29.66% to the total number of accidents recorded nationwide, the Ministry informed Rajya Sabha in response to a question by Husain Dalwai. In Karnataka, the number of accidents was 44,011 in 2015 and it was 43,713 in 2014 while deaths was 10,856 in 2015 against 10,452 in 2014. However, national capital Delhi witnessed reduction in both accidents and fatalities. The number of road accidents in Delhi was 8,085 in 2015 against 8,623 while deaths was 1,622 in 2015 against 1,671 in 2014. In the past decade, over 1.3 million people have been killed in road accidents in India. The Centre, which is working on a strong road safety bill, has now constituted a committee headed by Rajasthan Road Transport Minister Yunus Khan to suggest steps to be taken on the issue.

With India witnessing highest number of road accident fatalities globally , there is an urgent need for a strong legislation that protects all classes of road users. The Parliamentary Standing Committee also noted that a legislation which addresses road safety issues should be introduced at the earliest and since the issue has received bipartisan political support, there should not be any further delay.” Saji Cherian, director, operations, SaveLIFE Foundation, said.

Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari earlier announced that his ministry has set a target of reducing road accidents fatalities by 50% by 2020.